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Former University of Tennessee head football coach Phillip Fulmer

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KNOXVILLE — Needless to say, Phillip Fulmer knew how to stand his ground as the head coach of the Vols football team, but making his first movie - "The Blind Side" - was a whole other game.

"When I met Sandra Bullock, I got a little nervous," Fulmer said. "I don't know why. I've met the president and all sorts of people."

Fulmer said he wasn't intimidated by the new playing field of a movie set. After all, he's had to face 100,000 angry fans at Neyland Stadium before. He just didn't want to come off as a "complete buffoon."

As far as making a movie? That wasn't so tough.

He shot "The Blind Side" in June in Atlanta after being contacted by the producers.

The family film, which is the real-life story of hot college football prospect Michael Oher, stars Bullock and Tim McGraw.

They play a wealthy Memphis couple who take in a homeless teen and help inspire his love of football.

Fulmer plays himself. The Vols tried to recruit Oher, but he ultimately signed with the University of Mississippi.

"Most" of the movie was true to life, Fulmer said. However, the scene in which Fulmer negotiated with Oher and his adopted little brother, S.J., was fabricated, he said. "(The scene) was carried on in an almost joking manner," Fulmer said.

"The Blind Side" is based on the book "The Blind Side: The Evolution of the Game." He wasn't sure he wanted to do the film version after reading portions of the book.

"I wasn't fond of the book," Fulmer said, especially when it painted the former Vols head football coach as a redneck.

But after he was given assurances that he'd be portrayed better in the movie, he agreed to do it.

"They let us play ourselves and ad lib a bit," Fulmer said.

Around his new office off Northshore Drive, Fulmer is referred to as "Coach Hollywood" these days. Maybe the name will stick. While attending the recent Country Music Association Awards, Fulmer was approached by an agent about doing more acting.

He said he is often confused with former Tennessee Sen. Fred Thompson, who is an actor, too. Playing in a movie now may add to that confusion.

"I'm going to make sure (Thompson) should be ready for me on the big screen," Fulmer said with a laugh.

n Proud papa. With the birth of his second child only weeks away, Johnny Knoxville said he was excited about the new arrival. "It will be coming sometime before the first of the year and we can't wait till the little thing gets here," Knoxville told the Insider.

Knoxville's first child, Madison, turned 13 this year. Her mother is Knoxville's ex-wife, Melanie.

n Visit. Pop star R. Kelly stopped off in Knoxville on Saturday morning for a workout. He reportedly visited Court South West to feel the burn. He was on his way to Charlotte, N.C., for a show on Saturday night.

Terry Morrow may be reached at morrowt@knoxville.com or 865-342-6445. His blog can be found at http://blogs.knoxnews.com/knx/telebuddy/. He contributes to "Live At Five At Four" on WBIR, Channel 10, and "The Marc & Kim & Frank Show" on WWST-FM, 102.1.